Wednesday, October 15, 2014

New York City

 
The first real "adult" movie I vividly remember watching was Splash when I was about 5 years old at the house of a man my mom was dating at the time. The realness of Madison's mermaid tail and the sweet story of the nice guy who was helping her really captured my imagination. Funny, how almost 30 years later I am kind of re-enacting my first favorite movie. A mermaid in New York. My favorite movie of all time happens to be New York centered as well, When Harry Met Sally. It is about time for my annual re-watching of that movie....
 
My passion for traveling slowly developed. My first flight in an airplane was at 19 to Cleveland, Ohio to meet Adam's family in Strongsville. Despite the great gift of getting bumped to first class, I was still pretty miserable with nerves. A few more flights were notched onto my belt via Vegas a couple of times and then St. Louis a couple of times; I eventually learned how to keep myself calm. It involved deep breaths and hand sewing. Traveling began to excite me. I wanted to taste different foods, view different scenery, take it in with all my senses. Very soon here I will be experiencing New York with my dear NaLonda for a weekend. I wanted to share my itinerary with you all for fun, and if you have any input please comment!

 
We fly in early in the morning and have two and a half days to explore the Big Apple. After much searching one night on the couch together, we settled on the Archer Hotel. It is brand new and the rooms, though small, look luxurious. The staff seem really friendly on the phone the couple of times I called. (Newbie here wanted to make sure we could drop our luggage off at the hotel upon arrival- >shrug< I wasn't sure! But we can). My first cuppa Joe from a Nespresso machine in our room ridiculously excites me, as well as the turn down service. It is located in the Garment District near Times Square and Broadway with a view of the Empire State Building.
 
Upon relieving ourselves of luggage we plan on shopping (Macy's, Barney's, Tiffany's, and hopefully a few perfume shops like Diptyque, Malle and Killian's), walking and oooohing and aahhhhing until lunch time. Lunch was picked to be Pizza by Certe' by NaLonda. Seriously, how good does this pie sound?!


After lunch we will be moseying about again until we hit up the Museum of Modern Art.

MoMA

 
Post museum experience brings us to dinner. Reservations at Betony were made tout de suite once the bookings were opened for reservations for our time slot of choice. Betony has great reviews and has earned its first Michelin star rating. I have never dined at a Michelin star rated restaurant and I am over the moon excited to do so.
 
Betony
The following day will dawn bright and early with a trip to the tip top of the Statue of Liberty, the world's largest weeping angel. I won't blink. After hiking it up all those stairs we will lunch at Serendipity 3 for a burger and their famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate.
 
 
 
With bellies full of chocolate wonderfulness we will take in a Broadway show or play. We are not sure yet as to what. In order to stretch our funds, I decided to get our tickets the day of at a TKTS booth in Time Square. After the show we are headed to Chinatown.
 
In Chinatown, we made reservations at Oriental Garden for our first Dim Sum experience. The evenings may take us to walk the Brooklyn Bridge or hang about in Times Square.


 
Sunday morning I am talking NaLonda into hitting up Russ & Daughters for the best bagel and lox in the city, recommended by my friend, before we depart at midday.

 
I have my heart set on one souvenir for sure. A Serge Luten's bell jar perfume. NYC Barney's is the only place in the U.S. that stocks them. I am thinking about Muscs Koublai Khan (enchanting musk)or Fille en Aiguilles (sweet pine needles). I adore both but must only choose one.
 
So what do you think? We have some free time stuffed in there in random places but we are trying to get as much in as we can for a two day trip. Any must see? Must eat? Must do?

13 comments:

  1. New York... (sigh) Thinking about it now makes me daydream. Everything you have planned sounds wonderful and I can't wait to see pictures so that I may live vicariously through you. When I think of New York I imagine the scene from Serendipity when destiny brings two lovers together at the Wollman Rink in Central Park, so I would probably go to the Wollman Rink or The Rink at Rockefeller Center. I don't know what it is about rinks...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am daydreaming too sister. I really need to watch Serendipity since we are eating there. I wonder if Rockefeller will be decorated for Christmas by then? I already know I would love to go back one day with you. I bet we could talk more sisters into joining us too! <3

      Delete
    2. I am dreaming too. I would like to skate but since I am so clumsy, I think it would turn my trip into a nightmare. a sister trip would be great for you all.

      Delete
    3. It is so close!!!! I agree, as romantic as it sounds to ice skate, I don't want to be hobbled by a sprained ankle half the trip. We can watch though! <3 ya!

      Delete
  2. GAH! I hate you in the best way possible, a trip to New York, so jealous! There are so many good Broadway shows on, some of the newer ones that I hope to watch in future: Pippin, Once (closing soon!), Mathilda, Beautiful, Kinky Boots, If/Then! And so many classics out there as well, Wicked, Lion King, Jersey Boys!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michelle!!! Come with!! Lol! Thank you for the Broadway list, I am making note to look for those at the ticket booth! I hope we can score decent tickets.

      Delete
  3. Soooo jelly!!!! I can't wait to read all about your whirlwind adventure!! Definitely don't blink while you climb Lady Liberty... Or take a Snickers, maybe she's hungry?? Lol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is the appetizer travel to whet my appetite for LONDON!!! Whirlwind will be right. But even one day in NYC is a dream come true. So two days is doubly blessed. Oooooo a Snickers. I will try not to eat it myself before I give it as a peace offering. I am excited for you to go to Seattle!! Talk about jelly! I bet the Pacific Northwest is gorgeous. One day :-) Hey, if y'all settle there, I KNOW I will be going. I miss you. So close, yet so far away. <3

      Delete
  4. Ahh! So excited for you (and a slightly jealous!)!! I can't wait to hear all about it & see all your gorgeous pics! I've never been to NYC, so I have no ideas for you, but it sounds like you've got some good things planned already! You're going to have soooo much fun!! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will try to see through the glamors to find The Institute. I am nervous about lugging my camera up there but I will definitely do it. I just wish I had a bigger purse to stow it in. I am hoping to see Rupert Grint on stage. But any play/musical will do I suppose. But Rupert Grint!!!!!

      Delete
  5. You will have an AWESOME time! Tavern on the Green in Central Park should not be missed . . just sayin'. I was lucky to live there for a time and enjoyed it all. Pray for good weather , watch for fall foliage from the plane, and anchor all bags and accessories. Can hardly wait to hear about it!

    Leigh

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Leigh! Tavern on the Green is a classic isn't it? I am certainly praying for good weather. Mainly no rain but even if it does, busting out the umbrella. I am excited for the chilly weather and fall foliage mostly. :-)

      Delete
  6. Yes, classic . . and warmly elegant. Also forgot to mention the 9/11 Memorial. I was there a few months from 9/11, and haven't been back to see the new museum.

    Leigh

    ReplyDelete